Rugby World Cup
Wales 'desperate' to beat Australia and top Pool A
PA Sport
October 8, 2015
Do Wales have enough to beat Australia?

Warren Gatland says World Cup quarterfinalists Wales are "desperate" to win Saturday's Pool A decider against Australia at Twickenham.

Although both teams are already through to the last eight, the group winners would then face Scotland or Japan, while the runners-up tackle twice world champions South Africa.

Wales, though, have got it all to do, having lost their last 10 Tests against Australia and not beaten them since 2008.

"We are desperate to win this game, as win this group and potentially your road through to quarters, semis and final is a little bit easier than the the other side of the draw," Wales head coach Gatland said.

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"We're desperate to finish off well and win this group, and hopefully give ourselves potentially a second seed team in the quarter-finals.

"The last five times against Australia there has been a score in it. We've been ahead in games and not been able to finish it off.

"You learn from that, and experience comes from that and it showed in the autumn against South Africa. We closed that game down, and were brilliant in the last 15 minutes against England (12 days ago), coming from behind and showing maturity to close that game down."

© Stu Forster/Getty Images

Gatland has made six changes to his team, with a first Test start for New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe, who features at fullback.

But flanker Dan Lydiate does not feature in the match-day 23, with Gloucester's Ross Moriarty providing back-row bench cover.

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Reflecting on Lydiate's absence, Gatland added: "He got a knock on the eye last weekend.

"I spoke to him on Monday and said if we were playing in the final we would have picked you this week, but we don't want that to get any more sore.

"He was disappointed, but he understood the decision for us to rest him and make sure the eye has fully recovered."

Tipuric's promotion to the starting XV is no surprise, considering his outstanding form. And with two specialist opensides on parade, Wales have strengthened their hand at the critical breakdown area, where Australia are a proven force, although the Wallabies will be without suspended flanker Michael Hooper this weekend.

Gatland added: "Justin deserves an opportunity. He has been outstanding in the warm-up games and when he has played. It is going to be a fierce contest at the breakdown." 

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